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Household spending on leisure

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How much money do you spend on entertainment and leisure? Do you buy tickets for the movies or the ballet? Do you purchase books or collect artwork? Canadian households spend most of their income on taxes, food, shelter and transportation. Culture goods and services such as books and museum admissions make up a small part of total household spending.

From 1999 to 2004, average household spending on culture goods and services rose 12%, comparable to the rate of inflation, which rose 13%. In the same period, overall household spending climbed 21%.

Canadian households spent an average $1,450 on culture goods and services in 2004, compared with $1,290 in 1999. After accounting for inflation, however, average household spending on culture was virtually unchanged.

Cable and satellite television took up the largest portion (32%) of household spending on culture goods and services—an average of $462 in 2004 compared with $332 in 1999. DVD, CD, and audio and video cassette purchases accounted for the next biggest expenditure at 8%, or $116 per household; movie theatre admissions were close behind at $112 per household.

In 2004, households spent an average $111 on textbooks, and $106 on other types of books. Households averaged $99 on newspapers in 2004, down from $108 in 1999.

Couple households with children—the largest share of the entertainment market—led in spending on textbooks, pre-recorded audio and video, books, photographic services, and admissions to museums and other venues.